A paediatric tube and capsule for suction biopsy of the small intestinal mucosa designed for direct nasogastric intubation

The use of a modified paediatric tube and capsule for suction biopsy of the mucosa of the small intestine is discussed. The tube is small in diameter and can be introduced through the nose without local trauma and with minimal discomfort. The intubation technique was followed in 72 instances to obtain suction biopsies from the proximal mucosa of the small intestine in protein-calorie malnourished children, and the results obtained with this instrument are also presented.     

Neural mechanisms of tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a disabling movement disorder, caused by antipsychotic medications, that occurs frequently and is not responsive to treatment. It is not known how the brain damage underlying tardive dyskinesia produces abnormal movement. We propose that altered sensory flow to motor systems results in this syndrome. Verification of such a mechanism could lead to early detection and improved treatment of tardive dyskinesia.     

Bizarre implants for augmentation mammaplasty: long term human reaction to polyethylene strips

Two patients are described where a mass of polyethylene strips had been used for augmentation mammaplasty. The reaction to this plastic was different in each case.     

Clinical trials with the Equator-Plus camera

The Equator-Plus camera can photograph a 148-degree view of the fundus, measured from the nodal point of the eye. We tested this instrument clinically more than 800 times on over 700 eyes. The large field, which is three to four times that of any conventional fundus camera, is achieved by using a special contact lens as the front element in the camera optics. Photographs taken with the Equator-Plus camera can resolve a lesion as small as one-eighth of a disk diameter, if the contrast is good. Protruding tumors, choroidal or retinal detachment, and extensive disease of the choroid and fundus show up well with this technique. We obtained good pictures in 87% of the clinical tests. We have not observed complications of any kind after photography with the Equator-Plus camera.     

Alkalimetric microassay of cephalosporins.

Alkalimetric pH-stat titrations of cephalosporin C, cephacetril and their deacetyl derivatives using an acetyl esterase and beta-lactamase are described. The esterase was used to assay highly purified samples of cephalosporin C and cephacetril, and also to prepare analytically defined solutions of the deacetyl cephalosporins. Lactamase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the parent compounds was then found to generate exactly 2 equivalents of acid per mole; that of the deacetyl derivatives exactly 1 equivalent.     

Metabolic integrity of the isolated perfused lobule of human placenta

Tissue levels of lactate, pyruvate and the adenine nucleotides were measured in samples of human placenta obtained (1) immediately on delivery, (2) after perfusion on the maternal side for one hour, and (3) after a corresponding period of warm ischaemia. Metabolic activity in the isolated perfused placental lobule was assessed in terms of these tissue metabolites and by measuring protein synthetic rate by means of determining the incorporation of a labelled amino acid. Perfusion was found to lower significantly the lactate level whereas ATP was maintained at comparable levels with those in the placenta just after delivery. Perfused placental ATP levels are lower than in vivo levels seen in other tissues with high metabolic rates such as rat liver, kidney and also in guinea-pig placenta. Protein synthetic rate was found to be lower than that observed in other fetal tissues.